Overview
A trip of discovery, taking you from vibrant Istanbul through to mystic Cairo, exploring many world-famous historical sites along the way & experiencing the warmth & hospitability of three diverse cultures. Discover many treasures during this 3-week experience.
• This is a flexible travel package for individuals, not an escorted group coach tour. You choose your own travel dates & there is also the option to customize the itinerary to suit your particular interests and where you would most like to visit in each country.
• Package Rate starts from 3900 EURO per person: based on 02 persons sharing in a double/twin room and using standard 3* hotels during low-medium season. Excludes international flight to starting point (Istanbul) and from ending point (Cairo) which are for you to arrange yourselves. The package rate varies according to your exact dates of travel / category of hotel selected and any changes you might wish to make to the itinerary. Low season - Nov to April / Medium season - May, June, October / High & Peak seasons - July through September (based on Greece).
Tour itinerary
DAY 01 - Arrival to Istanbul:
Meet on arrival to Istanbul Airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Istanbul
meals: none
DAY 02 - Historical Sultanahmet Tour:
After breakfast, meet in hotel lobby to join on a full-day walking tour visiting the Blue Mosque, St Sophia, Hippodrome and Obelisk, Grand Bazaar and Topkapi Palace (excluding optional entrance to Harem). Overnight in Istanbul.
meals: breakfast & lunch included.
DAY 03 - Bosphorus Cruise & flight to Cappadocia:
Join on a half-day morning tour taking you for a cruise on the Bosphorous during which you have views from the vessel of various historical sights that line its shores. The morning tour also includes a visit to the Spice Bazaar. Then some free time at leisure before transfer to airport for flight to Cappadocia, arrive and transfer to hotel.
meals: breakfast included
DAY 04 - Goreme Cappadocia Tour:
*Optional: very early morning 01-hour hot air balloon ride offering amazing views
Today's tour takes you to visit Devrent Valley and Monk's Valley (Pasabagi) where you find the world-famous fairy chimneys; lunch in Avanos village; visit the must-see Goreme Open-Air Museum with its carved churches and monasteries with their frescoes; views of Uchisar Natural rock castle. Overnight Cappadocia.
meals: breakfast & lunch included
DAY 05 - Red Valley & Underground City:
Start the day with a 4km (medium grade, approx 2hours) hike in Red Valley and visit Cavusin (old Greek village). Break for lunch then on to explore Kaymakli Underground City. The day also includes panoramic views at Pigeon Valley with its famous dovecotes. Then a little free time before departing on the overnight intercity bus to Pamukkale. ***We can use flight instead of the overnight bus, please advise your preference when making your request.
meals: breakfast & lunch included
DAY 06 - Pamukkale & Hierapolis ruins:
Arrive early morning (if by overnight bus) to Pamukkale and a day-room is provided for you to have a shower and breakfast. Then join on tour visiting the natural formation of the travertens (cotton castle) in Pamukkale along with the ruins of Hierapolis. End of the day tour with drop off to the hotel in Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi.
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included
DAY 07 - Ephesus Sightseeing Tour:
A major attraction of Turkey, today explore the Ancient City of Ephesus with its Grand Theatre, magnificent Celsius Library and various other buildings and fountains. Also, visit the House of Virgin Mary & the remains of Artemis Temple. Overnight in Kusadasi.
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included
DAY 08 - Kusadasi/Izmir to Mykonos:
Breakfast, check-out and transfer to the port or airport for ferry (via Samos) or flight (via Athens) to Mykonos. Arrive and transfer to hotel with the remainder of the day and/or evening free at leisure. Overnight Mykonos.
meals: breakfast included
DAY 09 - Mykonos at leisure:
A full day free at leisure for you to explore Mykonos Town and other areas of the island.
meals: breakfast included
DAY 10 - Mykonos to Santorini:
Transfer to the port for morning or afternoon ferry to Santorini (ferry duration approx 3hours). Arrive and transfer to hotel with the remainder of the day & evening free at leisure. Overnight in Santorini.
meals: breakfast included
***Ferry between Mykonos & Santorini does NOT operate during the winter season (November to March). During winter season, we offer you the option to either exclude Mykonos (so include Santorini only) or we can use flight via Athens to connect these two islands.
DAY 11 - Santorini at leisure:
Today is free at leisure for you to explore this magical island: relax on one of its many beaches, visit a few of its picturesque villages, stroll the scenic route from Fira to Oia. Overnight in Santorini.
meals: breakfast included
DAY 12 - Santorini to Athens:
Transfer to the port for morning or afternoon ferry to Athens (ferry duration approx 6hrs - if you prefer, 1hr domestic flights are also available at extra charge). Arrive and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Athens.
meals: breakfast included
DAY 13 - Athens City Tour with Acropolis:
Breakfast at the hotel then join on one of the following regular group excursions (you get to choose):
a) 5hr large-group coach tour: visit Acropolis, Acropolis Museum & panoramic drive in city centre
b) 5hr small-group walking tour: visit Acropolis, Acropolis Museum & stroll in the city centre
c) 5hr small-group walking tour: visit Acropolis, Ancient Agora & stroll in the city centre
***Please note your preference when making your request, otherwise, we will automatically include the 5hr large group coach tour. Other alternatives are also available, such as wine tasting and/or a foodie tour, etc.
The afternoon and evening are free at leisure for you to further explore on your own. Overnight in Athens.
meals: breakfast included
DAY 14 - Flight Athens to Cairo:
Transfer to the airport for flight from Athens to Cairo, arrive and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Cairo
meals: breakfast included
DAY 15 - Giza Sightseeing & train to Aswan:
Today, with your private Cairo tour guide, visit the Step Pyramid of King Zoser in Sakkara, the oldest known of Egypt's 107 Pyramids; Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt dating from 3100BC; the world-famous Three Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. After the day tour, transfer to the rail station for departure on the overnight sleeper train to Aswan.
meals: breakfast & dinner included
***If you do not wish to travel by overnight sleeper train, we can arrange using a domestic flight from Cairo to Aswan instead. Please note your particular preference when making your request.
DAY 16 - Nile Cruise (Aswan Sightseeing):
Breakfast onboard train, arrival to Aswan and transfer to board the 03-night Nile Cruise sailing from Aswan to Luxor. Embarkation before lunch. Then depart with your cruise guide to visit the High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk & Philae Temple. Overnight onboard Nile Cruise.
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included
DAY 17 - Nile Cruise (Kom Ombo & Edfu):
Cruise to Kom Ombo & visit the Temple of Sobek & Haroeris. Continue on to Edfu and visit the Temple of Horus, the largest and most complete preserved Temple combining Pharaonic and Greek architecture. Overnight onboard cruise.
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included
DAY 18 - Nile Cruise (Luxor):
Sail to Esna and Luxor. Upon arrival to Luxor, move to the West Bank of the Nile to visit the Valley of Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut & the famed Colossi of Memnon, known in Ancient Greek times for their haunting voices at dawn. Overnight onboard cruise.
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included
DAY 19 - Luxor to Cairo:
Breakfast then disembark. Complete your cruise sightseeing with morning visits to Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple after which you have free time at leisure to explore around on your own until departure on the overnight sleeper train back to Cairo. ***If you do not wish to travel by overnight sleeper train, we can arrange using a domestic flight from Luxor to Cairo instead. Please note your particular preference when making your request.
meals: breakfast & dinner included
DAY 20 - Egyptian Museum, Citadel, Old Cairo:
Breakfast on train, arrival and meet for transfer. Then begin a full-day tour with your private Cairo guide visiting the Egyptian Museum, Citadel of Saladin (with its Alabaster Mosque and Tomb of Ottoman ruler Mohamed Ali), the Old Cairo area (with a mix of Islamic and Christian Monuments) and the Khan El-Khalily Bazaar. Overnight in Cairo.
meals: breakfast included
DAY 21 - Departure
As per your international flight departure time, transfer from the hotel to Cairo Airport.